#effxe

   “You got one hell of a grip for someone so small, Princess.”

He’s still uncertain with the tiny being cradled in his arms.

Difficulty sleeping leaves him testing the waters at night, letting their daughter sleep safely in his arms instead of unguarded and alone in the nursery. He’ll tell her stories – the nice ones about knights and princesses and dragons that he remembers from his youth – and if he’s sure nobody else is awake to hear, there are nights he’ll hum her to sleep with the songs his mother used to sing when he was sick or scared and in need of comfort. There’s something about talking to his daughter alone that allows him to open up. Perhaps it’s just that she’s too young to understand the words. It just feels safe.

It always brings a smile to his face when the child closes her hand around his finger. It’s like she knows who he is; like she trusts him to protect her. It’s a terrifying thought, in truth, considering that everyone he’s been responsible for protecting in the past has ended up dead or broken. Loving him is a curse. Being loved by him is a death sentence. He’s plagued by the fear that this time around will be no different to all the times he’s tried to love and protect before. But there’s something new that’s awoken inside him with the birth of his (albeit unexpected and unplanned) child. There’s a new, fresh fierceness within him; an instinct that leaves him somehow knowing that no one will get to his family. He’s vowed todestroy anyone who tries.

   “Y’know… I shouldn’t call you Princess. Or your ma. I don’t like the Princesses    in the stories I know. Always stuck in some tower or lost in the woods or hiding    away from some big scary monster or bad men they can’t fight. ‘S not how it’s    s’posed to be. ‘S not how it’s gonna be for you. I reckon even Princesses can    kick ass, and I’m gonna make sure you don’t need some fancy-pants knight to    rescue you. You’re gonna be a little ass kicker, just like your ma. I’ll teach you    how to throw a good punch one day — or maybe your mom will. She’s better    at it than me anyway. But I’m not gonna let you be trapped or lost or scared.    Not gonna let anyone hurt you. I kinda hope you can’t figure it out yet that I    don’t know a whole lot about what I’m doing. I’ll get it right one day. I’m gonna    learn stuff for you. And I’ll be able to teach you how to punch boys in the face    when they hurt you. Or girls. Whatever. You’re gonna be beautiful like your ma    so I guess you’ll have both chasin’ ya. Kinda hope it’s boys so I can punch ‘em    for you. But I gotta get used to all this. And a whole lot more when you’re older.    Not gonna lie to you, kid… I’m pretty damn scared. I’ve never been more scared    of anything in my life. But I’m gonna figure it out and I’m gonna keep you safe.    And your ma too. Cause I — I love you. ‘S a weird thing for me to say, but I do.    And maybe for a while, you’re the only one allowed to hear it. But I love you, and    your ma, and your aunt Katniss and uncle Peeta. You keep that between you and    me and maybe when you’re older I’ll buy you a dog or somethin’. Deal?”